Garment finishing and folding apparatus



Feb. 9, 1943. J. w; STEELE GARMENT FINISHING AND FOLDING PPARAT 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. '1L 1940 ATTQR'NEY Feb. 9, 1943. y W STEELE "2,310,555

GARMENT FINISHING AND FOLDIN Filed sept. '7, 1940 gli@ Z 3 97 9a G APPARATUS 3' Sheets-fSheet 2 INVENTOR v ATTORNEY J. W. STEELE GARMENT FINISHING AND FOLDING APPARAT Feb. 9, 1943.

Filed Sept. '7, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 INVENTQR.

HTTORNEK Patented Feb. 9, 1943 GARMENT FINISHING AND FOLDING APPARATUS James W. Steele, North Kansas City, Mo. Application September 7, 1940, Serial No. 355,752

(Cl. V.2S-103) 13 Claims.

This invention relates te garment inishing and folding apparatus, such as is required in connection cooperate to a certain degree in the carrying out of the remainder of the operations.

One important feature of the improved construction is the provision of band creasing the movements of the garment nishing board into and out of operative position.

Various other subordinate objects and imapart the `width ofthe folded tive `positions of certain of the parts of said improved apparatus;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same with part of the finishing board broken away;

` a sectional elevation, said View representing a section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1; t

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view of a check or buii'er device forming a part of the improved construction;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail View representing aV section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

VFigure 6 is a similar view representing a section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the top table portion of the apparatus and the fold board structure (omitting the movable finishing board member);

FigureS is a plan view ofthe same with said fold board in lowered position; and

Figure 9 Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the improved construction is illustrated as comprising a pedestal base portion 6 and a top section l0' adjustably connected as indicated at Il to the lower pedestal section l0. The top section l0 has an inclined top face having secured thereto (as by means of bolts 1) a cap plate 8 for supporting a table member l2 in correspondingly inclined Figure 1 said guide strips or cleats I8 secured thereto by screws I7 and spaced shirt and formed 2. with inclined inner edges i; and the table is also provided with a longitudinal recess 2| lined with material 22 of a suitable elastic or rubber composition (see Figures '7 to 9). At the rear of the table is provided a collar-shaped depression comprising a collar recess 24 having a collar block member and `also a collar engaging structure comprising an inclined lug 23 and the opposite side ledges and secured in place by screws 21 cr like.

Also at the rear of the recess 24 is hinged, at 33, a panel or fold board member 32 having folding arms 34 and 3d pivoted thereto at 35 and actuated by springs 36 normally into outwardly spread relation (see Figure 9) in the shirt folding operation as described in the `pending application above referred to, and also adapted to fold inwardly into operative or shirt-folding position as represented in Figures 3 and 8. In this folding movement of the arms 34-34, the arm 3A is swung over the arm 3d', and in this position said arms are latched by means of a sliding latch bar which is normally in a rearwardly retracted position whereby its forward end 42 (of upturned hook shape) is adapted to `hook into latching engagement with the upper folding arm 35, as represented in Figures 1 to 3 and 8. The rear end A0 of the latch bar projects suiicently for operative engagement with the'top face of the table i2 (when the board 32 is raised as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1), whereby a forward sliding movement is imparted to the latch bar for the purpose of releasing the arm 34 from latching engagement with the forward end l0 of the bar, preparatory to removal of the shirt from the fold board 32.

Provision is also made for creasing ing the ends of the shirt-wrapping bands l0 which are stacked in the transverse recess or channel E5, for which purpose a channel member 5d is secured by screws 5| (Fig. 5) to the table opposite each end of said recess |5-each of said channel members having a block 52` of suitable elastic material such as rubber, and the arrangement being such as to leave the outer channel members projecting someblocks 52 (see Figures 3 and 5), so that in the operation of creasing the bands, the ends of the bent or deflected upwardly as well as spread or fanned out to an extent adapted to facilitate the operators selecting and taking hold of the bands only one at a time ee Figure 5).

The remainder of the creasing means in the present apparatus is constructed and arranged to embody the improvements and additional functions provided for by the present invention, which moreover eliminates some of the mechanism and certain operations necessary in the prior construction.

Accordingly in the present improved form of apparatus, the creasing elements comprise blades which are pivoted at 51 in brackets 58 secured by screws E0 to the under face of a garment finishing board 62 in position for operative engagement of said plates withv the wrapping bands IB supported on the blocks 52 whenever said finishing board 52 is in its lowered operative position as shown in Figures 1 to 5. This finishing board 02 is of conventional padded construction (as indicated at 63) and is mounted for swinging movement from said lowered operative position rearwardly into its inoperative Aposition as represented by the dotted lines in Figure 1. For adapting the finishing board for such swinging and spread- -paratus, as

{i5-to a connection 85 which is movement, its rear portion is fastened by screws 54 to a frame piece 65 which is formed with end bearing portions 06 journaled upon the end of a transverse shaft 60 which is supported by projections 10 depending from the opposite rear portions or corn rs of the cap member 8.

One of said end bearing portions 56 of the frame 65 is formed with a rearwardly projecting arm 12 carrying a suitable counterweight 13, while the other of said end bearing portions is also formed with an arm 14 pivotally connected by 15 with the upper end of a treadle 16 fulcrumed at 11 at the floor level and having a tread portion 18 at the front of the apillustrated in Figure 1. There is also connected to said arm 14 a check or buffer device (see Figure 4) for cushioning the movement of the finishing board 52. This device is of substantially conventional form, comprising a cylinder 80, plunger 8| and connecting rod 82 pivotally connected to said arm 14. The device is anchored for universal pivotal movement by means of an attachment 04 rigid with one end of said cylinder 00 and pivoted at in turn pivoted at 81 to the side of the pedestal. The device further includes an adjustable check valve element 88 adapted to regulate the exhaust port 00 and hence the stiffness of the buffer or checking action of the device with relation to the rearward movement of the finishing board into its inoperative position.

The front margin of the finishing board 62 is provided with a latching member 94 adapted for engagement (through an opening 95 in the table l2) underneath the forward margin bar 98 mounted in secured to the under face of the finishing board |2 at the front corners thereof, and connected by short spindles 98 with an outer bar or rail |00 which is adapted to rest upon the front margin of the table l2. This bar or rail |00 provides a handle member extending the full width of the finishing board the hook or latch element 95, and

' or handle is sufficient to 94 normally in position latching engagement maintain said hook adapted for with the fold board, as

a suitable receptacle |02 may be mounted on the rear of the finishing board 62 for holding a supply of collar supports in position conveniently available to the operator; and similarly, a holder |04 may be attached at the side of the pedestal (as by means of an arm |05 secured to one side margin of the table |2), for holding a supply of the shirt boards or stiifeners for use as required in the shirt folding operation.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood in the light of an understanding of the operation of the applicants prior construction as outlined in the pending application referred to. Such operation may be here outlined briefly as follows.

The finishing operation is started with the finishing board b52 in low'ered position, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Such nnishing operation is of the same general character as that followed with the type of apparatus shown in my Patent No. 1,941,234, dated December 26, 1933. On completion of this part of the operation, operator removes the garment from the finishing board and depresses the treadle 1.6, thereby ele- `fold board is simply left This H92) into the collar portion of the shirt and thereafter proceeds to straighten out the remainder of the garment upon the table surface ready for folding.

The operator now releases the fold board 32 by lifting the arm ist to disengage the hook member 95 from the front edge of the fold board, which thereupon swings down upon the garment resting upon the table l2. While the fold board 32 was in raised position, the latch bar 42 was retracted by engagement with the top of the table l2, as previously explained, thereby releasing the arms SI and 3d', which immediately tend to open up under the action of their springs 36; and if a previously folded garment is still on the board 32, the slight initial movement produced by the springs (in said raised position of the board) is sufcient to eect and maintain this unlatched condition of the arms 3d and 34 so that (on removal of the garment as the board is swung back upon the table i2) said arms continue their outward swinging movement into the spread relation illustrated in Figure 9 and by the dotted lines in Figure 3. The operator then Patent No. 2,010,333, particularly as regards the use of the arms se and 34 for the folding of the opposite sides of the garment upon its central portion lying between the guide strips l8-the ceptaele Hilft) and also lifting one of the shirt wrapping bands l from the recess or channel l5 and app-lying it to thefolded shirt. In this folding operation the arms 3ft-34 are relatched by means of said latch bar i2 to preserve said folded condition of the garment while on the fold board 32.

On completion of said folding operation, the

in its horizontal position, with the folded garment thereon, and the operator grasps the frame ldd and pullsl the inishing being latched together) on the fold board, and 34 to again ily outward into their outwardly the present construction) to crease or score said end portions of the bands and at the same time bend the same between the upper edges of the channel members 50, with the result that the ends viously facilitating the operators taking hold of the bands and grasping only one of them at a time.

on the garments and including the the end portions of the shirt-wrapping bands, and all by the means of one apparatus; and

-ment finishing board also movable or buffer device 8G, produce a very easy and practically noiseless operation. The control of the latching means for the fold board is also very simple and effective; and the framework 9- 98-|UU, besides providing a very convenient manual as well as automatic Vmeans for latching the folding and finishing boards together and also releasing the fold board at the proper times, further serves to provide a smooth finish rail for the front margin of the table I2 over which to drape the garment at the various stages of the process.

The holders |02 and IM also provide very convenient accessories for maintaining the neceso the opreferred to.

From the foregoing, therefore, it is apparent that a very practical and efficient form of apparatus has been devised for the carrying out of all the several objects of my invention, as above noted; and While the described means point out one very effective embodiment of the same, it is of course fications may readily be made without departing from the essential principles and scope of the invention. It is accordingly my Wish to be understood as reserving changes may fairly be spirit vand `scope of my the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I clam and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

invention as defined by l. Garment finishing and folding apparatus comprising, a table provided with a collar recess `and guide pieces spaced apart approximately the Width of the folded garment, a garment fold board movable into and out of cooperative relation to `the working face of the table, and a garment finishing board also movable into and'out of operative position overlying said fold board.

2. Garment finishing and folding apparatus comprising a table -having its upper working face provided spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the Width of the folded garment, a garment fold board movable into and out of cooperative relation to the Working face of said table, a garinto 'and out position overlying said fold board, and latching means for securing said boards together as the finishing board moves into its inoperative position.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a table having its upper Working face provided with a collar-shaped depression and spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the width of the folded garment, a garment 'fold board vhaving one end thereof hingedly mounted ori said table and movable into cooperative relation `to the working face of the hinged vfor movementzabout an axis adjacent and parallel to the hinge axis of said fold board for adapting said finishing board for movement into operative Vposition overlying said fold board.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a supporting structure including a table having its upper working face provided with a collar-shaped depression and spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the Width of the folded garment, a garment fold board and a garment finishing board hingedly mounted on said supporting structure for movement about of operative of the collar supports and shirt modin with ya. collar-shaped depression and adjacent parallel axes into and out of operative positions one 'above the other, and releasable latching means for securing said boards together as they move to -inoperative position.

5. Garment finishing and folding apparatus comprising a'table'having its upper working face provided With a collar-shaped depression and spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the width of the folded garment, a garment fold board and a garment finishing board both movable into and out of operative position, one above the other, relative to the surface of said table, and means under the control of the operator for raising 'said finishing board into its inoperative position.

6. Garment finishing and folding apparatus comprising a table having its upper Working face provided with a collar-shaped depression and spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the width of the folded garment, a garment fold board and a garment finishing board movable into and out of operative positions, one above the other, relative to the surface of the table, means under the control of the operator for raising said finishing board into its inoperative position, and releasable latching means for securing said boards together for simultaneous upward movement as said finishing board is raised into its inoperative position.

'1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a table having its upper Working face provided with a collar-shaped depression and spaced guide elements conforming approximately to the width of the folded garment, a garment fold board movable into Yand out of operative relation to table, a garment vfinishing board also movable into and out of operative position above the Working position of said fold board, and latchng means carried by -said finishing board for securing said boards for movement together in unison as said finishing board .is moved into its inoperative position.

8. Garment finishing and folding apparatus comprising a supporting structure including a table, a garment fold board and a garment finishing board hingedly mounted on said supporting structure for movement about adjacent parallel axes into and out `of operative positions, one above the other, and a releasable latching meinber carried by the free end of said finishing `board for securing said boards together for simultaneous movement into their inoperative positions, said latching member having a smooth bar providing a finish rail for the forward Iedge of the table when said boards are in their operative positions.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a table, a garment finishing board movable into and out of operative position with relation to the surface of the table, means providing a supply of garment-Wrapping bands in position for applying the same to the finished garment, and band-creasing means rendered operative by the movement of said board into its operative position.

l0. Apparatus of the character described comprising a table, a garment fold board and a garment finishing board both movable into and out of operative positions, one above the other, relative to the Working face of the table, said table having means for accommodating a supply of garment-Wrapping bands beneath said fold board, and means actuated by the movement of said finishing board into its operative position for 4creasing said bands.

1l. Garment finishing and folding apparatus ing a creasing and bending action to the oppocomprising a table, a garment fold 'board and a site ends of the bands as said finishing board garment finishing board both movable into and moves into its operative position. out of operative positions relative to the table 1 Garment finishing and folding apparatus into its operative position. 10 supply of Wrapping bands in transverse relation 12. Garment nshing and folding apparatus to and beneath said fold board, band-creasing the table surface, the top of said table having 15 creasing elements to crease and bend the ends of means carried by said finishing board for apply- JAMES W. STEELE. 

